Kona police are asking for the public’s help in identifying the body of a man found Thursday (September 16, 1999) in Keauhou, North Kona.

Responding to a 1:53 p.m. call, officers found the body about a quarter mile southeast of the Keauhou Country Club Golf Course.

The victim appeared to have been dead for several days, and the body was so badly decomposed that the man’s age or nationality could not be immediately determined.

A firearm was found next to the body, and it appeared that the victim died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The victim was dressed in a T-shirt, shorts, one sock and slip-on type of footwear.

Police have classified the case as a coroner’s inquest and have ordered an autopsy to determine the cause of death.

Anyone who may have information on the identification of the victim is asked to call Detective Guy Kaniho of the Kona Criminal Investigation Section at 326-4230.

Those who wish to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 329-8181 in Kona or 961-8300 in Hilo. The numbers are answered 24 hours a day. Callers will be given a coded number and their identity will remain anonymous. Callers may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000 if their call leads to an arrest, indictment or the recovery of property. Crime Stoppers neither subscribes to “Caller ID,” nor does it record phone calls.